Welcome to the United States Part 1 Worksheet Trainer s Notes Pre-Arrival Processing, the Resettlement Agency & Community Services

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1 Part 1 Worksheet Trainer s Notes Pre-Arrival Processing, the Resettlement Agency & Community Services Pre-arrival processing a. It is important to learn English while you are waiting to leave b. You will need to interview with a member of the processing staff c. Placements will be near family and services d. You will need medical clearance by way of an examination e. You will need to get proper identification f. The things you will need to do before you depart Pre-arrival processing a. You will need to sign a promissory note to repay your IOM travel loan b. You are not required to pay any fees to resettle c. Keep you IOM bag sealed and hand it to immigration officials when you arrive in the U.S. d. Repaying your IOM travel loan is an important way to build credit history in the U.S. The Resettlement Agency a. Others beside your Resettlement Agency may offer advice, but it may be inaccurate b. You will go to your new home, which may be temporary c. The Resettlement Agency will assist you with your resettlement process d. You will be met at the airport when you arrive e. Self-reliance is very important in the U.S. f. Once you are in the U.S. you can move to a different place, but no one is required to help you Community Services a. Some services may be available through religious organizations, but you are not required to join their religious affiliation if you are accepting their services b. Community services will be available to you c. Dial 911 in case of a serious emergency d. You may be able eligible for temporary assistance programs in your area e. The police are there to help you, not hurt you

2 Part 2 Worksheet Trainer s Notes Housing & Transportation Housing a. When looking for a new place to live, it is important to considering which neighborhoods are safe b. Temporary housing will be provided to you c. You will receive orientation about housing in the U.S. d. Finding affordable housing may be challenging e. Your first home may not be your first choice Housing a. Both the tenant and the landlord have rights and responsibilities when it comes to a rental property b. Your lease will tell you how much advanced notice is required before you move out of an apartment c. You will have to sign a lease which describes the rights and responsibilities of you and your landlord d. If the landlord does not pay for specific utilities, you as the tenant will have to pay them e. It is important to find out who covers which utilities Transportation a. You will learn how best to get around your community b. Public transportation is very common and used by many c. Public transportation may be difficult at first, but you will learn how to use it d. Transportation options differ in each town and city e. You may have to travel long distances to get around by using public transportation, and this may take a while Transportation a. Owning and driving a car can be very expensive b. By law, seatbelts have to be used while in a car in the U.S. c. Some areas have limited public transportation d. To drive in the U.S., you need a U.S. driver s license which may include many tests to earn e. There are many responsibilities with owning and driving a car f. Insurance costs may vary

3 Part 3 Worksheet Trainer s Notes a. You may need to take a job in a new field b. You will need to work with your Resettlement Agency to find a job in the U.S. c. Self-sufficiency is highly valued in the U.S. d. There is a lot of competition in the U.S. job market e. Recertification is often required in professional fields, and can be a lengthy and expensive process a. Employers and employees have specific rights and responsibilities in the U.S. workplace b. Getting a job may be complicated c. Time is very important in the U.S. workplace d. Job training programs may be available e. There are many different ways to find out about jobs f. Women and men may work together in the same jobs g. There are some important things to remember when interviewing for a job in the U.S. a. Changing jobs and careers is okay and common b. Work ethic is very important in most U.S. workplaces c. Willingness to work is very important d. Training on the job is not uncommon e. Types of jobs may differ f. Over time, you may be able to move up in the workforce g. While working, you may have the opportunity to practice and improve your English a. It is common for both parents to work in the U.S. b. Childcare may be necessary to working parents in the U.S. c. There are different types of childcare available d. Childcare is usually not free, and may be very expensive e. You may decide to leave your children in the care of someone outside your family while at work f. Some parents work opposite shifts so the other parent can stay home to care for the children

4 Part 4 Worksheet Trainer s Notes Education, Healthcare & Money Management Education a. Public education is free for children ages 5-18 and required for those 6-16 years of age b. Education is available everyone and is nondiscriminatory c. Learning English is very important d. Education can continue throughout your entire life e. English classes may be available to you at different times and on different levels f. Skills-building programs may be available Education a. School attendance is very important and students are expected to make up for any missed work b. Discipline in most schools includes detention, suspension or expulsion c. Diverse children study and play in classrooms together d. Thinking and analyzing is the common way of learning e. Parental involvement in a child s education is expected f. Enroll your children in school shortly after arrival g. ESL classes are offered in most schools Healthcare a. Interpreters should be available to you b. Different types of healthcare will be available depending on where you are c. You should not wait until someone is very sick before going to a doctor d. A medical exam after arrival is necessary e. Healthcare can be very expensive so you should try to get it through your place of employment f. Health insurance is very important Money Management a. Try to set aside money each month for your travel loan b. Saving money and smart shopping will be important c. It will be essential to learn how to budget your money d. The use of credit cards can be dangerous and it is important to make monthly payments e. People in the U.S. often take pride in finding good, used items at bargain prices f. Saved money should be placed in a bank g. Try to buy things you need before things you want

5 Part 5 Worksheet Trainer s Notes Cultural Adjustment & Rights and Responsibilities Cultural Adjustment a. Seek mental health services if needed b. All refugees experience at least some stress when resettling c. Feelings of anxiety and frustration is normal d. Maintaining a balance between your home culture and your new culture will be helpful and important e. You will need to learn about U.S. customs and values f. Mental health is as important as physical health to many in the United States Cultural Adjustment a. Changes in family roles is common and is one of the hardest things about resettlement b. Gender role changes are common c. Sometimes the wife earns more money than the husband d. Life in the U.S. can be hard for youth because they may be expected to act differently in and out of the home e. The elderly sometimes feel isolation or loneliness Rights & Responsibilities a. You are free to express your ideas and opinions and to follow the religion of your choice, or none at all b. Refugees are entitled to many of the same rights as everyone else living in the U.S. c. It is illegal to abuse or beat your spouse d. Laws in the U.S. are non-discriminatory e. Some laws in your home country or country of asylum will be different from those in the U.S. f. There are laws to protect children in the U.S. Rights & Responsibilities a. There are laws in the U.S. about automobile safety b. Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal c. It is illegal to drive a car under the influence of alcohol d. Some criminal acts may make it difficult or impossible for you to become a U.S. citizen e. Disciplinary methods of children may differ in the U.S. f. Sexual relations with minors (under 18 years) is illegal g. After 1 year you can apply for Legal Permanent Residency